"Shallow" and "Deep" Thinkers

Have you ever wondered about the terms "Shallow" and "Deep" thinkers?  We know that both types of people exist in the world.  Taking it to another level, I think it is important better understand why and how, even though sometimes at opposite ends of opinion, they each have a basis for having confidence in the right outcome for doing what they consider to be the right thing.

I find the visual image of a pond to be helpful in understanding this dynamic.

The picture is of a popular place in Florida called Blue Springs.  This is a clear water park that is fed by underground springs with cold clear water that results in one of the most interesting places I have visited. 

The waters of Blue Springs sit neatly in the midst of a cypress swamp and are laced with openings to underwater caves, some never having been fully explored.  There are signs on the tress near each cave listing the number of people that have died in that cave.  The stories are told are many about those who have died exploring those caves.  I see Blue Springs as an excellent metaphor for the world that we share.  When looking at human life on earth I see an interesting comparison between what I will call “the culture of blue springs” and people living in our world today. 

These two descriptions "Shallow" and "Deep" thinkers can be compared using the Blue Springs Florida example.

Shallow thinkers are cautions people.  They only get into the water to no more that waste deep, some even less.  Many times these people have no confidence of being able to swim and/or they find the water too cold.  Some even have fears about what is in the deeper water, fearing the large fish and manatees.  In this group you will find a lot of diversity in opinion, fears, and as you would expect accuracy of information.

It seems that most people start off as shallow tinkers.  Their thinking is shaped by what they see, hear and experience but, there is that sub-group that has the drive to learn.  They venture out.by learning to swim, learning to use SCUBA technology.  With these more advanced abilities they get to experience Blue Springs as “Deep Thinkers.”  They experience seeing the fish and caves firsthand and become sources of information to some of  the reluctant “shallow” thinkers. 

In this dichotomy of experience we run head on with the problems that have plagued the world since the beginning of history. 

• ·         How accurately can we observe and capture an experience? 
• ·         How accurately can we articulate or share our experience? 
• ·         How accurately can a listener or learners hear and comprehend others? 
• ·         And finally, how accurately can a learner convey their knowledge to others?

On top of these problems add the complicating factors of language, culture, age, context and receptivity we start to see the reasons why we pass on corporate knowledge so slowly. 

Note that mankind’s progress relies on corporate knowledge gained through knowledge and the history of man being passed on to aid our understanding of reality. Looking at a pond we can see an example of a world of diversity and at least partially get the idea that it is knowable.  By adding the human aspect and the diversity brought by that human aspect we can start to appreciate the differences in understanding and opinion of that reality.

Step back and replace the pond with God’s Cosmos.  Then bring in our human diversity.  In that vision we can appreciate the “Shallow” Vs “Deep” thinkers.  We can appreciate the diversity in abilities to comprehend, observe, understand, communicate and share our experiences.  Realize too that we each are on a life-long learning adventure, then add the limit of our lifetime that limits our opportunity to observe and share and you have the metaphor.

The only way to survive and progress is to live what you know!  You may learn more tomorrow but always live what you know.  Do not let the deep thinkers confuse you.  Jesus said it when he spoke of the faith of a child.

Remember this quote: Luke 18:16

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

We are always children in life living that point in time of always being the oldest we have ever been and the youngest we will ever be again.  DO NOT TAKE YOUR OPINIONS TOO SERIOUSLY, THEY WILL IMPROVE!

Life is a “Learning Wheel!”  We must continually work toward perfecting how to use it!